Teaching Ethics in Government: Lessons from the Michael Madigan case (with Steve Schwinn)

What does ethical leadership look like in public service, and how can students learn to recognize it?

In this episode of Illinois Policy Unpacked, host Kristen Chandler speaks with Steve Schwinn, an affiliate of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs and professor of law at the University of Illinois Chicago. A nationally recognized expert in constitutional law, civil rights, and civics education, Schwinn discusses a new high school curriculum on ethics in government developed through a partnership among IGPA, the Paul H. Douglas Award for Ethics in Government, and UIC’s Instructional Design Studio.

Using the case of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan as a real-world example, the curriculum helps students examine ethical decision-making, public accountability, and the responsibilities of government leaders. The conversation explores how case-based learning can strengthen civic engagement and prepare the next generation to navigate complex questions about ethics and democracy.

Access the ethics curriculum: https://bit.ly/3WsomIA